Impact of UMESC Science

The results from this study may lead to an expansion of the 35% PEROX-AID® label allowing for the use of the drug to control coolwater and warmwater finfish mortality associated with a parasitic infestation. Label expansion would enhance coldwater finfish production on all hatcheries throughout the United Sates.

Introduction

Parasitic infestations occur frequently in hatcheries due to high fish densities and the high reproductive rate of parasites. The most economically important monogenean in cultured fish is the monopisthocotylean Superfamily Gyrodactyloidea. Monogeneans are common parasites of the skin and gills of both marine and freshwater fish (Hoffman 1967, Noga 1996). Monogeneans can rapidly reproduce and the doubling time for the viviparous Gyrodactylus is as little as 24 hours. Monogeneans feed mainly on the superficial layers of the skin and gills. Feeding on the skin and gills is irritating to the fish and often causes skin cloudiness or focal reddening resulting from excess mucus production, epithelial hyperplasia or hemorrhaging (Kabatta 1985). Parasite induced tissue damage may increase susceptibility to secondary fungal or bacterial infections (Lasee 1995). Therefore, it is important to prevent or control parasitic infestations on fish.